On this day: December 17

France recognizes America as a nation, the Wright brothers take flight, Tiny Tim marries Miss Vicki in front of millions of TV viewers, and Kim Jong-il dies, all on this day.

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O Globo

1961: A circus tent fire at the Gran Circus Norte-Americano in the city of Niterói near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, kills 323, representing the biggest tragedy in circus history. Although the fire was blamed on arson and Adilson Marcelino Alves, a disgruntled employee, and two accomplices were later arrested and convicted for it, independent investigations have also pointed to electrical problems as a potential source for the fire.

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